How to support a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

You might be a parent, carer, or tutor of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and you might be looking for means to help them prosper in their lifestyle, growth, and schooling. ASD is an intricate situation that influences how a child communicates, collaborate, and team up with others around them. All their sensory processing, interests, and routines will be affected by ASD. Finding out the strong points and conflicts of each child with ASD, and providing different and relevant sorts of support depending on their needs and goals should be your priority.

The actual causes of ASD are not wholly understood and stay unspoken in the medical field. However, some factors may include genetics, environmental toxins, prenatal infections, and imbalances in the brain could route to ASD in children. In conformity with  Ayurveda, when the doshas are in harmony, the person is healthy and happy. When the doshas are out of balance, the person may experience various diseases and disorders. Knowing how to support a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is significant for us to be a helping hand for many people. Prominent institutes with certified Ayurveda courses in Kerala have initiatives to train the students to work along with every kind of person with diseases and disorders.

Give them a supportive environment and safety

One of many methods to help a child with ASD to make them feel more comfortable and confident is to provide them with a supportive environment that feels safe. You have to create a stable and predictable environment where they know what to expect and what is anticipated of them. We are about to go through some productive tactics to equip structure and safety for children with ASD in the following section.

• Creating Schedules

Creating schedules for daily activities that include waking up, eating, playing, learning, and going to bed will help them learn a productive daily routine.

• Use of visual aids

Use visual aids like calendars, timers, charts, or pictures, to help the child comprehend the chain of events and transitions.

• Providing guidelines

Provide them with clear guidelines and prospects, and always boost them with praise or rewards when the child follows them.

• A friendly space

A calm and friendly space where the child can relax and avoid overexcitement is a must when you are creating a safe structure.

• Help them adapt to situations

Caretakers and parents can prepare the child for any changes or new situations by explaining them in advance or using social stories.

Finding nonverbal ways to connect

Finding nonverbal methods to communicate with a child who has ASD is another approach to help them. Youngsters with Autism Spectrum Disorder frequently struggle to interpret or communicate verbal cues including words, gestures, and facial expressions. They could still gain happiness and appreciate social contact and emotional bonding. The following are a few nonverbal strategies for building rapport with a child who has ASD.

• Communicate physically

Physical communication such as hugs, kisses, or massages could be used to show them your affection and comfort rather than complex or emotional words.

• Join their world

You can join their world by imitating the sounds, movements, or actions that interest and encourage them to interact.

• Include them in team activities

Let them play games or activities that involve team activities like turn-taking, exchange, or collaboration, such as puzzles, building blocks, or other simple games.

• Let them experience music

Music can always help in calming their senses with less effort. You can together sing songs or listen to music that the child likes or responds to.

• Read and watch with them

Keeping them interested in stories they interested from books and watching videos that feature characters or topics that the child relates to can make a big difference in their mental growth.

Creating a personalized treatment plan

Developing an individualized treatment program that incorporates the necessities or goals of the kid with ASD into account is a of providing helping hands to them. A wide range of therapies and supports are available for children with ASD including family-centered therapy, psychological counseling, neurodevelopmental therapy, medical treatment, and more. 

But you should be able to find and adapt to the best method regarding the situation of every kid. The effectiveness of any given program will differ based on the child's age, signs and symptoms, habits, and current level of maturation. That means it is crucial to get advice from experts who are qualified to evaluate the child's strengths and weaknesses. They will suggest you the best course of action, and different ways to track the progress. You can follow the tips in the following section to develop a customized treatment plan.

• Start early

Not being late is a prominent action for an early diagnosis is what you should take as soon as you notice any signs of ASD in your child

• Ensure the safety of your child

Trusting your child's health and safety with qualified professionals who have experience working with children with ASD is one of the major steps you should never neglect.

• Know the treatment better

Questions should be asked before the treatment about the types of therapies and support they offer, the working pattern, treatment cost, and above all, you should ask for a solid reason to understand the effectiveness of the therapy.

• Choose the best therapy method

Ensure that you choose the best and most effective therapy method that suits well for your child's behavior and condition along with needs, goals, interests, and learning style. 

• Observe the change regularly

Keep your eye on the results of the therapies and support regularly. Never fail to make adjustments as needed since that offers the best care for your child and peace of mind to you.

Offer the best care for children with ASD

While raising a kid with ASD can be gratifying, it can also be difficult at the same time. You might experience anxiety, concern, annoyance, or loneliness as a parent, caregiver, or educator of a kid with ASD. However, there are many resources as well as individuals available to support you in thriving and coping with those situations that you can benefit from. Ayurveda training programs offered by the School of Ayurveda include training for our students to cope with any kind of medical situation.